Your family deserves beautiful portraits.
5 EASY STEPS TO ENJOY TAKING FAMILY PHOTOS…FOR EVERYONE!
To begin - let go and RELAX. Please don't worry or expect to have a perfect session.
It won't be perfect. There will be hiccups - maybe blowouts - maybe crying - maybe a feed that takes longer than expected - it's OKAY. I always say, if your children (especially toddlers!) stood quietly, smiled perfectly, and listened intently to every word I said I would think THAT was weird. Running around, being silly and occasionally not wanting to cooperate is NORMAL and all part of parenting young children.
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Bring props with you! And no, I don't mean anything cheesy. Think outside the box and have a look at toys your kids love and what activities you do as a family. Sometimes having something to do also makes it more fun and everyone is less worried about having their photo taken. Flying a kite, eating ice cream, cozying up in plaid blankets and drinking hot chocolate, riding your bikes, blowing bubbles, bringing along a couple of cute wooden or vintage toys or books. We don't necessarily have to use these but having something in our back pocket is always good!
BRING YOUR DOG! Yes, include the pup. Not only is he part of your family but for kids feeling a bit shy, hugging or cuddling their pup can really help.
Pick a location that works well with your family. I’ve written a couple of blog posts on the best spots in Calgary to take family photos based on your kids' ages - Calgary’s Best Outdoor Family Photo Locations and Calgary’s Best Urban Family Photo Locations. It’s really important to choose a spot that will engage your kids. A plain greenspace behind your home will likely bore your teenager but on the other hand this could be the perfect spot for your 2 year old (close to home, close to the bathroom and snacks!).
✈️ The Wander Far Spend Less Trip Planning Guide
Your step-by-step plan for stress-free, budget-friendly family travel — made for Canadian families who want to travel smarter, spend less, and make the most of every trip.
You’ve picked your dates, booked the flights — now what?!
Planning a big trip can feel a little overwhelming (and yes, someone will still ask for a snack mid-pack). But the more you plan ahead, the more you’ll save — on time, stress, and money. This guide is tailored for Canadian families who want to travel smarter, spend less, and make the most of every trip. I’ve done this more times than I can count, and I’m sharing my go-to checklist to help you stay organized, budget smart, and get out the door ready for adventure.
Lock in Your Home Away from Home
After flights, this is usually our biggest expense, so I’m careful about what we choose.
🛏 I use Airbnb and Booking.com the most — Booking.com often has apartment-style places that feel just like an Airbnb but sometimes for less.
📆 I book early because the best places (especially family-friendly ones) disappear fast.
📝 My rule of thumb:
2 nights or less: Hotel with free breakfast.
3 nights or more: Apartment-style accommodation.
💬 When I’m booking for our family, I always look for:
⭐ High ratings (5 stars if possible).
💰 Price — ideally $50 or less per night per person.
🍳 Kitchen or kitchenette — cook some meals and save on dining out.
Lastly - remember WHY you're doing this. You want photos of your family of course to share with friends and family but really, these photos are for your children to look at 10-20 years from now. So as uncomfortable as you might be with having your photo taken (and maybe you're not, but lots of people are) try as best you can to be IN THE MOMENT with your kids. By FAR these will produce the best images. If you do that I promise you will LOVE your photos.
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